Beachwood begins centennial preparations

Beachwood’s centennial is still almost a year away, but preparations for the celebration have begun.

At its most recent meeting, City Council approved the allocation of $75,000 to be used for various events to be held throughout the year.

While the events are not yet set in stone, Community Service Director Karen Carmen said the celebration will take place throughout the year and not just on the city’s 100th birthday, June 26.

Carmen said she has met with members of the chamber of commerce, convention & visitors bureau, school district and historical society to discuss ideas.

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As part of the celebration, the city plans to plant 100 Beech trees, which the city is named after.

“There are only a handful left in the city,” Carmen said. “To commemorate their importance to our history, we’re going to plant them throughout the city.”

According to the city’s website, Beachwood is rumored to have received its current spelling after a clerk misspelled its name on official documents.

Some celebrations will vary in scale, Carmen said. Among the smaller scale celebrations include street banners and the development of a centennial logo.

One of the bigger events planned is the return of artist Peter Max in October 2015. Max was previously in Beachwood to open the city’s community center.

Carmen said her plan is to start holding events in the first quarter of 2015, likely in March.

“We’re going to hit in when people are coming out of hibernation,” she said.

Beachwood was originally part of Warrensville Township, but seceded after the closing of a school in that area of the township, according to the city’s website. On May 29, 1915, a petition signed by 57 people was filed with the township trustees asking that their section, with a population of 151 residents, be permitted to incorporate as a village.

In a 46-1 vote on June 15 of that year, voters approved the secession and on June 26, the Warrensville Township trustees ordered the incorporation of Beachwood Village.

Beachwood became a city in 1960 and now has a population of over 12,000.

Carmen said she is hoping to have a calendar of events ready in the fall.